JP7057548B2 - Internal Impact Absorption Steering Column Energy Absorption Device for Assembly - Google Patents

Description

In general, this teaching relates to an improved collapsible steering column assembly and related methods (eg, methods of providing energy absorption in a secondary collision or the like). More specifically, although each aspect is adaptable to an external shock absorbing column assembly, the teachings primarily relate to internal shock absorbing tilt and electrically telescopic adjustable steering column systems.

In the automotive field, it is common to use steering column assemblies that include tilt and telescopic functions, such assemblies are also known as "tilt and telescopic" steering column assemblies. Motors are also being used to translate the steering wheel to the vehicle driver.

When a vehicle collides, there are usually two types of collisions. In a primary collision, the vehicle collides with another object. In a secondary collision, the vehicle occupants collide with the components of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle driver may collide with the steering wheel due to inertia. To help protect the driver from such secondary collisions, it has become common practice to use an impact-absorbing type steering column.

The shock absorbing type steering column device has a structure in which collision energy acts on the steering column in the front direction of the vehicle when the driver receives a secondary impact. The steering column can be separated from one or more fixed points with the vehicle body and moved forward (eg, with a crushing stroke), and the collision energy is absorbed in the course of the crushing stroke. The external shock absorbing column assembly is an example of a system in which the entire column is translated relative to its fixed point. The internal shock absorbing column assembly will typically be fixed at one or more fixed points close to one of the ends of the assembly in the vehicle. During a crushing stroke from a secondary collision, the components of the assembly will be longitudinally crushed (eg, within the volume generally occupied in the vehicle during normal operation, i.e. generally the "occupied area" in the vehicle. (Inside), in general, it does not crush beyond a certain distance with respect to a given fixed point. Thus, the internal crushing system has a predetermined stroke but remains fixed to the vehicle at one or more fixed points.

For many applications, the steering column assembly includes both tilt and telescopic functions. For this purpose, it is common to realize each function by using a motor. For example, one motor has come to operate the steering column assembly in a vertical direction, approximately upward or downward, to adjust the height of the steering wheel with respect to the driver of the vehicle to provide a tilt function. ing. Another motor can be actuated to operate the steering column assembly to adjust the front / rear position of the steering wheel. The latter is typically translated by translation of a telescopic tube configuration in which at least one tube associated with the steering wheel moves parallel to the steering axis.

For improvements to existing shock absorbing steering column assemblies (especially internal shock absorbing systems) compared to typical existing systems, acceptable solutions include lighter weight, reduced component counts, and "occupied area". , A crushing stroke of at least about 70 mm (eg, about 80-100 mm or more), or various performance specifications of different vehicles that provide adjustability and / or mobility and allow the use of common parts. It is desirable to include some or all advantages over existing assemblies, such as structural platforms that allow them to meet but otherwise require minimal hardware replacement.

US Patent No. 5,547,221, US Patent No. 5,690,362, US Patent No. 5,961,146, US Patent No. 6,264,239, US Patent No. 6,224,104, US Patent No. 5,477,744, US Patent No. 7,322,610, US Patent No. 7,350,816, US Patent No. 6,685,225, US Patent No. 7,410,190, And US Pat. Nos. 7,258,365, as well as US Publication No. 2013/02331117 are relevant to the present invention, and the entire contents of these disclosures are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Also, European Publication No. EP155518A1 contains teachings relating to the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference.

This teaching is simple, as relatively few components can be used to obtain adjustable steering column assemblies (particularly internal shock absorbing assemblies) that exhibit good energy absorption characteristics, especially during a secondary collision. And use a sophisticated construction method.

In general, this teaching is made of a metal such as aluminum that can be cast into a housing (typically castable) suitable for mounting on an automotive structure (eg, cross vehicle beam, instrument panel, or both). ) Is used in the steering column configuration. The displaceable inner tube is configured to accommodate the steering shaft. Telescopic actuator devices such as electric motors, which can be part of a telescopic motor assembly, allow the vehicle driver to selectively act the inner tube in the anterior-posterior direction. Alternatively, it is operably attached to the housing and inner tube by two or more drive members (eg, rods). The assembly also allows the column tube to translate forward into the housing in a controlled manner using one or more energy absorbing device elements, each element for a particular vehicle application. It can be selected based on and can be designed for the purpose of changing and adjusting the desired responsiveness (eg, the timing of separation and / or plastic deformation during the crushing stroke). Therefore, during the secondary collision event, the impact force by the vehicle driver is transmitted to the column tube by the steering shaft. The additional energy from the impact is absorbed by one or more energy absorbing elements placed on the telescopic motor assembly and / or housing, or both (eg, operably between them). .. One or more energy absorbing device elements are configured to plastically deform to absorb impact energy (eg, as plastically deformable, generally thin strips), and the material is selected as such (eg, ordinary carbon). Steel, one or more other metals and steel alloys, or any other steel or metal). Since such plastic deformation can be deformed without stretching, the strip is itself folded by the column tube and pulled around the edge of the structure (eg, the guide structure) or forward. It is possible to be in a state of being pushed or pushed, and deformation occurs. The energy absorption of one or more energy absorbing device elements occurs when the energy from the load is mainly absorbed by the deformation (including plastic deformation) of the energy absorbing device element.

Although not intended to be limited by: in one aspect, the teachings herein utilize a combination of unique energy absorbing strips and components that define the steering column assembly. This teaching assumes an energy absorption strip. The energy absorption strip can generally include an elongated body portion. The energy absorption strip can include a first end. The generally elongated body portion may form a predetermined angle between the first end and the generally elongated body portion and may include a curved portion between the first end and the generally elongated body portion. The energy absorbing strip can be configured to be held in the steering column assembly and absorb energy by plastic deformation during translation of the column tube during a collision exceeding a threshold load (eg, during a crushing stroke). can do. The energy absorbing device includes a T-shaped portion that can be configured to engage a column tube or plate fastener of the steering column assembly (eg, a notch or opening in the column tube) at the first end. Can be done. The energy absorption strip can be generally unfolded (eg, does not form a U-shape). The angle between the first end and the generally elongated first portion can be about 90 degrees ± about 10 degrees. The energy absorption strip can be configured to fold itself during translation of the column tube during a collision. The energy absorption strip can be a metal strip.

The teaching also assumes an adjustable steering column assembly. The adjustable steering column assembly can include a column tube and a steering axis that is at least partially supported to rotate by the column tube and has a longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly can further include a telescopic motor subassembly that is adapted to selectively drive the steering shaft, the column tube, or both in the anteroposterior direction approximately along the longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly can also include the energy absorption strips described herein. The energy absorption strip can be deformed as a result of translation (eg, forward) of the column tube in the event of a collision exceeding the threshold load. The telescopic motor subassembly can remain largely fixed in the event of a collision. For example, during a collision and / or crushing stroke, only the column tube and / or steering shaft and energy absorbing device can move. The steering column assembly can further include a tilted partial assembly that can be configured to selectively raise or lower the steering shaft, column tube, or both. The first end of the energy absorption strip can be housed in a column tube. The T-shaped portion of the first end of the energy absorbing strip can engage the notch of the column tube to hold the first end of the energy absorbing strip within the column tube. Deformation of the energy absorbing strip can be guided by a guiding structure in which the energy absorbing strip is folded around in the event of a collision. The guide structure can be made of a material that provides a constant coefficient of friction and / or has sufficient compressive strength that does not break (but can bend) when the energy absorbing strip is folded back into the guide structure. The elongated body portion of the energy absorption strip can be placed inside the column tube. The first end can extend outward from the column tube and can be secured to a plate stopper in the assembly. The plate stopper can be attached to the column tube. In the event of a collision, the plate stopper can be shear off from the column tube. The first end of the energy absorbing strip remains fixed to the plate stopper, which allows the elongated body portion to be deformed.

As can be seen from the teachings herein, it is possible to consequently implement a unique assembly (and related method) that allows the steering column assembly to absorb energy in the event of a vehicle collision in a secondary collision. The column's internal shock absorption is within a very small packing envelope, but allows for an adjustable drive position.

The side view of the steering column assembly by this teaching is shown. It is a figure which shows the energy absorption device in the steering column assembly by this teaching. The enlarged view of the energy absorption device and the column tube body by this teaching is shown. It is a figure which shows the assembly of the energy absorption device in a steering column assembly.

If desired, detailed embodiments of this teaching are disclosed herein, but it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the teaching that can be embodied in various alternative forms. sea bream. Each figure is not necessarily an exact scale, and some features may be exaggerated, minimized, or omitted to show the details of a particular component. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the invention in various ways. Should be interpreted.

In general, the teachings herein are directed to a unique combination of components for a shock absorbing steering column assembly, more particularly an internal shock absorbing steering column assembly for vehicles with electric telescopic capabilities. .. By using this teaching, it is possible to obtain a complete crushing stroke of about 70 mm or more, about 80 mm or more, or about 100 mm or more. The assembly also enables a lightweight system compared to many other systems in terms of relative simplification of design. For example, the teachings herein contemplate an integrated function to be mounted within a vehicle and corresponding tilt of a column housing having a single component, thereby reducing the number of components and also "occupying area" as a whole. To reduce. The teachings herein also provide a structural platform that allows the use of common components to meet different performance specifications for different vehicles, but otherwise requires minimal hardware replacement. .. That is, similar assemblies can be used across a series of vehicles and can be individually tailored (eg, by selecting the appropriate energy absorbing device to meet the specific requirements of a particular vehicle).

Further attention to the details of the assembly herein will include, for example, a tubular body operably coupled to the steering wheel by a steering shaft. One such tube, referred to herein as a column tube, will typically have hollow cavities along at least part (if not all) of the length of the tube and is rotatable. It can be sized to accommodate and support a shaft, i.e., a steering shaft and, optionally, one or more bearings. Both the shaft and the tubular body will have a longitudinal axis. When incorporated into the vehicle, the longitudinal axes of the shaft and the tube can be aligned approximately coaxially and aligned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axes of the vehicle or each. The shaft and column tube can typically be made of a suitable metal such as steel or aluminum.

The bracket structure can be used to receive at least a portion of the steering shaft and to mount the steering column assembly in the vehicle. Bracket structures can include a single integral structure or include multiple components assembled together into one assembly to form a bracket structure. Brackets are cast structures (eg, structures made by casting), forged structures (eg, structures made by forging metal ingots), machined structures, compacted structures (eg, powdered metal). It can be a structure made by the steps of sintering and / or pressing the mass) or any combination thereof. For example, one approach is to cast a bracket structure to form an aluminum alloy casting. The bracket structure can be configured to integrate the function of mounting in the vehicle and the function of adapting the tilt function of the assembly to the vehicle driver.

The bracket structure can include multiple ribs. The bracket structure can include one or more openings through which the fastener can be penetrated to attach the bracket to the vehicle. The bracket structure can include, for example, one or more protrusions for mounting on a vehicle. The bracket structure may include a top surface, at least a portion of which is adapted to abut and attach to the automotive structure. For example, the bracket structure may include a nearly flat top surface for attachment to a nearly flat cross vehicle beam, instrument panel, or both located above the top bracket. Of course, as can be seen from the drawings, the top surface of the nearly flat surface can include at least one or more recesses defined by the ribs shown. The bracket structure can also include a collar portion that projects away from the lower surface of the bracket. The collar portion can be defined to include a fully closed or at least partially enclosed structure to which the column tube can abut. The bracket structure can include one or more (eg, a pair of) pivotally coupled arms. For example, at least a pair of arms can be placed towards the front end of the upper bracket. The arm can include a portion extending beyond the front end of the top surface. The arm may include one or more openings for receiving fasteners that penetrate the arm and enter into the column housing. The bracket structure may also include a housing structure for accommodating the electric tilt subassembly, a flange structure, or both, a telescopic motor subassembly, an energy absorbing device, or a combination thereof. can. The collar portion can have an asymmetric structure, which is depicted herein to resemble the capital letter "D", within which one or more components of the electric tilt subassembly (eg, rods, etc.). (Drive member) is housed. It can be in the shape of a "u" or so configured.

The teaching uses at least one telescopic motor subassembly that selectively drives the steering shaft in the anteroposterior direction approximately along the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft (by a rod or other drive member). Is assumed. The telescopic motor assembly can include an electric motor having a motor shaft that operably drives a driving member (eg, a threaded rod or a rod having gears on at least a portion of its length). The shaft can drive the drive member using one or more gears. The shaft can drive the drive member via a threaded nut. The motor shaft has a longitudinal axis, which is oriented substantially parallel to the steering axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the column tube. The motor shaft can have a longitudinal axis, which axis is oriented transversely to the steering axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the column tube. The telescopic motor subassembly can include a housing in which the motor is at least partially located. The housing can include one or more planes, which are slidably abutted against other surfaces (eg, brackets, column housing flanges, or any other mounting structure). The other surface can be part of the column housing or operably coupled to it. Such a plane can be part of a mounting structure for fixing the telescopic motor subassembly to the entire assembly.

The teaching further envisions the use of at least one subassembly that has been made to selectively raise or lower the steering shaft. The optional tilt subassembly can be manually actuated, motorized, or both. It can be attached to a bracket structure (eg, in a first attachment position along its length). The tilted subassembly can be incorporated at least partially within the column housing.

As shown, the column housing is pivotally coupled to the top bracket (eg, at the front ends of both the top bracket and the column housing) to allow adjustment of the steering axis (eg, at the front ends of both the top bracket and the column housing). Tilt adjustment by tilt subassembly, telescopic motor subassembly, or both, telescopic adjustment, or both). Column housings are cast structures (eg, structures made by casting), forged structures (eg, structures made by forging metal ingots), machined structures, compacted structures (powder). It can be a structure made by a step of sintering and / or pressing a metal block), or a combination thereof. One approach is to cast a column housing to form an aluminum alloy casting. The column housing can include one or more ribs. The column housing can include a structure (along the sides of the housing so that it projects approximately radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing) and is described herein above this structure. The energy absorbing device can be fixed or the energy absorbing device described herein can be placed therein. The column housing can have a substantially cylindrical configuration. The column housing can have a lower portion with a flange that projects laterally above at least a portion of the length of the column housing. The flange can project from both sides of the column housing. The flange can project laterally outward to a position where it extends beyond the outermost range of the protruding wall. The column housing can have one or more openings, eg slots, in the lower portion to expose the column tube, which is coupled to the drive member associated with the telescopic motor subassembly. It is possible to translate longitudinally with (eg, via a suitable bracket). Since the column column housing is pivotally connected to the bracket structure (eg, at the front end of the assembly), in the event of a secondary collision, the column housing remains largely fixed in its normally operating position. Become.

The teaching envisions further use of a telescopic motor subassembly mounting structure that is connected to a column housing, a telescopic motor subassembly, and an inner column tube during normal operation. The telescopic motor subassembly mounting structure can be at least partially integrated with the motor housing that forms part of it. The telescopic motor subassembly mounting structure may include an upper portion having one or more planes facing the bottom surface of the column housing. For example, the telescopic motor subassembly mounting structure can be at least partially integrated with the telescopic motor subassembly (eg, as part of the motor housing).

Illustratively, the telescopic motor subassembly mounting structure can be used with one or more bolts to secure the telescopic motor subassembly to the column housing.

The telescopic motor subassembly operates to translate the steering wheel back and forth with respect to the vehicle driver. The telescopic motor subassembly can use a suitable drive member such as a rod, which can be operably coupled to the steering shaft by coupling with the column tube. For example, a suitable bracket or plate fastener can connect the drive member (or the threaded nut above it) to the column tube. The column housing can have one or more slots or other notches that accept the bracket (eg, the longitudinal slot at the bottom of the column housing can expose the column tube). The drive member can be elongated. For example, the drive member can be a rod. The drive member can have a screw. The drive member can have teeth. The drive member can have some other structure for meshing and engaging with gears or other drive mechanisms associated with the motor of the telescopic motor subassembly. The drive member may include a suitable mechanism for limiting the amount of longitudinal movement. For example, it may include an internally threaded nut that is screwed and adjustable to the threaded portion of the drive member (eg, drive rod) that provides an adjustable stopper to limit the linear movement of the member.

When incorporated into the entire assembly of the present teaching, the telescopic motor subassembly includes a suitable structure for mounting on the energy absorbing device, a bracket for the energy absorbing device, a column housing, or any combination thereof. Can include.

The teachings are also placed within the steering column assembly (eg, mounted or fixed near the column tube) to the column housing to keep the steering column assembly in operating position during normal operation. Envision the use of at least one plastically deformable energy absorbing device element (eg, strip or bend plate) that is now anchored in place. Energy absorbing devices can have a free end. The free end can generally have a narrow portion and / or a T-shaped portion. For example, the free end of the narrow portion can be accommodated within the notch of the column tube, and the T-shaped portion extends into the column tube (eg, between the column tube and the steering shaft). The energy absorbing device can be an elongated metal member. The energy absorbing device can have at least one relatively flat surface (eg, an elongated body portion). The energy absorbing device can have an elongated body portion and a curved portion connecting free ends (eg, an end having a T-shaped portion). The curved portion can form an angle between the free end and the elongated body portion. The angle can be about 70 degrees or more, about 80 degrees or more, or about 85 degrees or more. The angle can be about 110 degrees or less, about 100 degrees or less, or about 95 degrees or less. For example, the free end and the elongated body portion can form an angle of about 90 degrees. The energy absorbing device can be a metal strip. Optionally, the strip can have elongated slots along at least a portion of its length. For example, the slot can be used to accommodate fasteners, tongues, or any other structure for fixing the strip within the assembly. The energy absorbing strip can be in a nearly unfolded state prior to deformation (eg, the strip does not have any parallel portions of the U-shape). The first end can be folded back by about 20 percent or less of the length of the elongated body portion. It is convenient to have the strip almost unfolded or minimally folded during manufacturing, for example looping on metal strips may be difficult and may require additional resources or machinery. , Or the energy absorption strip may be weakened.

The energy absorbing device can be dimensioned to be wider than the length or thickness in cross section (eg, the width to thickness ratio is at least about 1.5: 1, about 3: 1, about 5: 1, about. 10: 1, about 20: 1, about 30: 1, or more). The energy absorbing device element can have a generally continuous shape, thickness, and / or cross-sectional shape along its length. Energy absorbing device elements can have different shapes, thicknesses, and / or cross-sectional contours along their length. The energy absorbing device element can have a bulbous free end (eg, in place of or in addition to the T-shape). The energy absorbing device element can include a free end having some shape that can be secured in a column tube or to a plate stopper so that it does not move during a collision exceeding a threshold load (eg, during a crushing stroke). The energy absorbing device element has a nearly continuous shape and / or cross-sectional outline along a major portion of its length (eg, about 50% or more, about 65% or more, or about 80% or more). It may include a free end having or an adjacent portion thereof. The energy absorbing device can include a mounting end portion having a substantially continuous shape and / or a shape different from the cross-sectional outline portion. The energy absorbing device element can have a thickness of about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, or about 0.8 mm or more. The energy absorbing device element can have a thickness of about 5 mm or less, about 4 mm or less, or about 3 mm or less. The energy absorbing device can be made of steel (eg, ordinary carbon steel (SAE1008, 1010, etc.), steel alloys containing metal in addition to iron, etc.).

In one embodiment, the energy absorbing device element may have a first end of the energy absorbing device (eg, a T-shape, a nearly bulbous shape, or another shape that withstands withdrawal) of at least a column tube. It can be placed inside a portion or held in a column tube. The column tube can include a notch or other opening for receiving a portion of the energy absorbing device (eg, a portion of the first end). For example, the notch is such that the translation of the ram tube during a collision (eg, during a secondary collision) causes the energy absorbing strip itself at the beginning of the first end to fold (eg, form an approximately U-shape). can do. Deformation can be controlled by a guide structure located in or near the area where the column tube and the first end connect. The guide structure can accept at least a portion of the energy absorbing strip (eg, the first end can be inserted through both the guide structure and the column tube) and during a crushing stroke, The energy absorption strip can be pulled around the guide structure. Thus, the guide structure can provide a controlled radius due to the deformation of the energy absorbing strip. The guide structure can be made of a material with sufficient compressive strength (eg, to prevent the energy absorbing strip from breaking when folded back into the structure). For example, the guide structure can be formed of Delrin, which can bend but not break and / or provide a constant coefficient of friction. The guide structure can be lined and / or supported by, for example, steel plate fasteners.

In another aspect, the elongated body portion of the energy absorbing device element (eg, the energy absorbing strip) can be placed inside the column tube and the first end of the energy absorbing strip extends outward from the column tube. Can be attached to the plate stopper. Plate fasteners are generally secured to the column tube (eg, by one or more fasteners such as rivets) and screwed on the telescopic subassembly to allow adjustment of the column tube in the anterior-posterior direction. Can be connected to a nut. During the crushing stroke, the plate stopper can be cut off from the column tube. The energy absorption strip can be left with the first end connected to the plate stopper, and the elongated body of the energy absorption strip deforms as the column tube pushes the strip, which causes the energy absorption strip to Folded , unfolded , or deformed around the edge of the column tube.

In any of the above configurations, the telescopic motor housing remains fixed so that only the column tube and energy absorbing strip move during the crushing stroke, allowing internal crushing of the column in a small encircling range.

During a secondary collision, when a given load is reached, the energy absorbing device element will first move in parallel, elastically deform, and then begin to plastically deform after reaching a given load (eg, compressive or tensile). With power). It is assumed that such plastic deformation substantially contributes to the absorption of energy from the secondary collision. The energy absorbing device element can be fastened to another structure having an assembly (eg, column tube, column housing, telescopic motor subassembly, etc.) at one or more positions along its length. ..

Also, the teachings herein envision a method of making and / or mounting the described assembly. Accordingly, each of the described elements can be assembled by the method of obtaining the described assembly. This teaching is intended to provide the assembly described herein for mounting in an automobile. For example, the teachings include mounting bracket structures on cross vehicle beams, instrument panels, or both. Such attachments may be for placing the described bracket structure above or below the cross vehicle beam and / or instrument panel. The teachings are intended to be provided for mounting the assembly according to the teachings in an automobile (eg, by mounting on a cross vehicle beam, instrument panel, or both).

The teaching also envisions methods that occur in the actuation of the described assembly. For example, the present teaching envisions providing an assembly comprising a plastically deformable energy absorbing device configured to be at least partially contained within a column tube. In the event of an impact load on the steering shaft that exceeds a given impact load, the energy absorbing device may bend plastically with the telescopic motor substantially connected to the column housing to absorb the energy resulting from the impact load. can.

With reference to the figures here, FIGS. 1 to 4 show examples of the structure and operation of an electrically tilted and telescopic steering column assembly for a vehicle according to the present teaching. The assembly has a tilt adjustment feature and a telescopic adjustment feature. There are related motors for each of these features. However, one of the motors can be omitted (eg, tilt adjustment can be done manually without the use of a motor).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary steering column assembly 10 having a front end 12 and a rear end 14. The steering column assembly 10 includes a column housing 16 that supports the column tube 20 and the steering shaft 24. The steering shaft 24 is designed to support a steering wheel (not shown) and can rotate when the steering wheel rotates. The column tube 20 is mounted within the column housing 16 for linear telescopic movement. The telescopic movement is performed by the telescopic subassembly 30. The bracket structure 22 assists in mounting the steering column assembly 10 within the vehicle. Further, the bracket structure 22 can support the tilt adjustment subassembly at least partially, and enables tilt adjustment of the steering shaft 24, the column tube 20, the column housing 16, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows the energy absorption strip 40 and the telescopic subassembly 30 according to the present teaching. The column housing is omitted so that the energy absorption strips are visible. The steering column assembly includes a telescopic subassembly 30 that includes a drive member 34 shown as a threaded rod. The drive member 34 is driven by an actuator device 32, such as an electric motor, that can be housed in a column housing or another structure attached to the column housing. The threaded nut 36 can move along the drive member 34 in a substantially linear fashion. The plate fastener 38 or other structure (omitted for clarity but see FIG. 4) can be connected to the threaded nut and column tube 20, with the nut 36 along the drive member 34. Upon translation, the column tube 20 also translates in the anteroposterior direction, which allows telescopic adjustment of the steering column assembly. The energy absorption strip 40 is fixed to the column housing 20 via an optional guide structure 48, and absorbs energy by being deformed when the column tube 20 is translated forward during a crushing stroke due to a secondary collision or the like. It is designed to do.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the energy absorption strip 40. The energy absorption strip 40 includes a first end 42 having a narrow portion and a T-shaped portion. The energy absorption strip includes a curved portion 44 connecting the elongated body 46 of the energy absorption strip 40 with the first end 42. The first end 42 of the energy absorbing strip 40 is housed in the notch 18 of the column tube 20, and the T-shaped portion extends into the column tube. The angle formed between the first end 42 and the elongated body 46 prior to any deformation of the energy absorbing strip 40 is about 90 degrees ± about 10 degrees. During a crushing stroke in which the column tube is translated forward by reaching a threshold load, the column tube pushes the energy absorbing strip forward, forming a substantially U-shape by itself bending or folding. The guide structure 48 can be placed at or near the notch 18 of the column tube and can serve to guide the deformation of the energy absorbing strip 40 during the crushing stroke. The guide structure 48 may include an opening that receives a portion of the energy absorption strip 40, which generally moves through the guide structure during deformation of the energy absorption strip as it absorbs energy. Then (for example, overcoming) it can be folded on the guide structure. The advantage of this assembly is that the telescopic subassembly can remain fixed inside the assembly during the crushing stroke.

FIG. 4 shows another configuration of the energy absorbing strip 40 in the steering column assembly 10. The assembly 10 has a front end 12 and a rear end 14. The telescopic subassembly 30 includes a drive member 34 driven by an actuator device 32 such as an electric motor, which translates the threaded nut 36 along the length of the drive member 34. The plate fastener 38 connects the threaded nut 36 to the column tube 20, which allows the column tube 20 to translate back and forth during telescopic adjustment by the telescopic subassembly 30. The plate stopper 38 is attached to the column tube 20 by the rivet 50, but other attachment methods are also possible. The energy absorption strip 40 is arranged inside the column tube 20 (eg, between the column tube and the steering shaft 24). The energy absorbing strip 40 has a first end 42 extending outward from the column tube 20 (eg, forming an angle of about 90 degrees ± about 10 degrees), with the first end being on the plate stopper 38. It is attached or engaged with it and held in place. During the crushing stroke, the rivet 50 is sheared and the column tube 20 translates forward toward the front end 12 of the steering column assembly. The telescopic subassembly 30, especially the telescopic actuator device such as an electric motor, can remain fixed, but the energy absorbing strip 40 is pushed by the column tube 20 and must be deformed. The first end 42 of the energy absorbing strip 40 remains held by the plate stopper 38, which must be deformed as the column tube 20 pushes the energy absorbing strip so that it folds over. I don't get it.

As can be seen from the above, crushing of the steering column assembly is possible without relying on friction as the primary mode of energy absorption. Rather, the teachings herein rely primarily on plastic deformation to absorb energy from secondary collisions. Therefore, a dependence on friction can at best be associated with a dependence on plastic deformation. Energy absorption can be essentially friction-independent. Crushing of the steering column assembly can be done without relying on wires as a form of energy absorbing device. The energy absorbing device can have a structure other than the wire. Further, energy absorption is the result of the plastic deformation of the energy absorbing device described herein, which can be the deformation that occurs without any permanent elongation of the energy absorbing device.

Although exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to account for all possible embodiments of the invention. Rather, it should be understood that the terminology used herein is a non-limiting terminology and that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Some numbers listed herein are all from smaller to larger values in one unit increment if there is at least two unit number distinctions between some small value and some large value. Contains the value of. As an example, when the number of components or values of process variables, such as temperature, pressure, time, etc., are described as, for example, 1 to 90, preferably 20 to 80, more preferably 30 to 70. Values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc. are intended to be explicitly listed herein. For values less than 1, one unit number is assumed to be 0.0001, 0,001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. These are specifically intended examples, and all possible combinations of numbers between the smaller and largest values listed are expressly described herein in a similar manner. Should be considered.

Unless otherwise specified, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between each endpoint. The use of "about" or "nearly" in relation to a range applies to both ends of the range. Therefore, "about 20 to 30" is intended to include "about 20 to about 30" including at least a specific end point.

The disclosure of all articles and references, including patent applications and patent gazettes, is incorporated by citation for all purposes. The term "essentially consisting of" that describes a combination includes identified elements, components, components, or steps, as well as other elements that do not materially affect the base of the combination and the new features. , Ingredients, components, or steps. Also, the use of the terms "constituent" or "contains" to describe a combination of elements, components, components, or steps herein substantially consists of or consists of elements, components, components, or steps. Assume embodiments.

Multiple elements, components, components, or steps can be provided by a single integral element, component, component, or step. Alternatively, a single integral element, component, component, or step can be divided into separate elements, components, components, or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" describing an element, component, component, or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, components, components, or steps.

The relative positional relationships of the illustrated elements are part of the teachings herein, even if they are not described verbatim.

Claims (10)

It ’s a steering column assembly.
a. With the column tube
b. A steering shaft that is supported to rotate at least in part by the column tube and has a longitudinal axis.
c. A telescopic motor subassembly that selectively drives the steering shaft, the column tube, or both in the anteroposterior direction approximately along the longitudinal axis.
d. With energy absorption strips,
Equipped with
The energy absorption strip
i. The elongated body and
ii. The first end and
iii. A curved portion that forms a predetermined angle between the first end portion and the elongated main body portion and connects the first end portion and the elongated main body portion.
Equipped with
The energy absorption strip is held in the steering column assembly and
The energy absorbing strip is not folded and
A shape such that the first end of the energy absorbing strip engages with the notch of the column tube and resists withdrawal to hold the first end of the energy absorbing strip in the column tube. Have,
The energy absorbing strip is adapted to deform into a U shape as a result of translation of the column tube in the event of a collision exceeding a threshold load, and the telescopic motor subassembly remains fixed in the event of a collision. ,
Steering column assembly. The angle between the first end and the elongated body is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1. The energy absorbing strip is adapted to fold itself during translation of the column tube during the collision.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1 or 2. The energy absorbing strip is a metal strip,
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further comprising a tilted subassembly that is adapted to selectively raise or lower the steering shaft, the column tube, or both.
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first end of the energy absorbing strip has a narrow portion housed in the notch of the column tube.
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The shape of the first end of the energy absorbing strip that resists withdrawal is T-shaped.
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The energy absorption strip is guided by the guide structure at the time of the collision and deforms into a U shape.
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The guide structure is made of a material that provides a constant coefficient of friction and / or a material that has sufficient compressive strength that does not break when guiding the energy absorbing strip.
The steering column assembly according to claim 8. The energy absorption strip is held in place by the guide structure.
The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .

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